Marriage rally kicks off Capitol push for same-sex unions

Same-sex marriage advocates came to the Capitol on Thursday for a Valentine’s Day rally urging legislators to change the law to allow gay and lesbian couples wed.

The Rev. Grant Stevensen, faith director for Minnesotans United for All Families, told the 1,000 attendees that they didn’t ask for this fight, but now they are positioned to finish it.

When should Minnesota change the law? Stevensen asked, drawing cheers from the crowd that filled three floors of balconies in the Capitol Rotunda. “The answer to us became clear? Now!” he said, causing the crowd to erupt in applause.

Minnesotans United for All Families was the lead group that persuaded Minnesota voters to defeat a proposal to add language into the state constitution banning same-sex marriage.

Legislators are expected to unveil their proposal to legalize same-sex marriage in coming weeks.

Minnesota for Marriage, the group trying to prevent marriage from being redefined, is putting pressure on legislators to not change the law.

The group brought Robert Lopez to the Capitol to persuade legislators not to change the law. Lopez, an author and California university professor, was raised by a lesbian couple and says be missed out on a lot by not having a father in his life.

“It’s very important for our laws to protect a child’s right to be raised by a mother and a father, wherever that is possible,” Lopez said. “An adult’s right to marry is secondary to that.”